What’s the point of the crossbench?

On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss explains how the crossbench works and the politics of deal-making in federal parliament. This episode was recorded on Friday 21 August. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. Read more on The Point. Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang Show notes: Climate Integrity Summit 2026, the Australia Institute National Gambling Toll, the Australia Institute The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (March 2026) There is no such thing as a safe seat | Fact sheet, the Australia Institute (October 2024) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]. Subscribe to What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support What's the Point? & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4bkeiGc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.